UL GREENGUARD Gold Helps Precision Textiles with Low VOCs of Their Mattress Sock

The challenge

Manufacturers in the mattress industry suggest that their products are safer and healthier. Determining whether these mattresses are partially or completely chemical-free can be a challenge because several different labels exist. One way manufacturers can differentiate and substantiate their products is through a science-based, third-party certification program, like UL GREENGUARD or UL GREENGUARD Gold. These programs are becoming the choice of trust for more and more manufacturers and consumers. The story of Precision Textiles serves as an example of this for the mattress and bedding industry. Precision Textiles has tested their fire resistant mattress socks with UL to help guard against flammability and comply with safety standards such as 16 CFR 1633, Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads.

However, a large percentage of flame-resistant textiles are filled with fiberglass filament. While this material delivers cost-effectiveness and durability alongside fire-resistance, it may present health risks to consumers who experience dermal exposure or inhalation of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. For this reason, IQFit Natural mattress sock is now UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified, demonstrating that their mattress sock is low VOC emitting and supports healthier indoor environments.

Since Precision Textiles places human health as one of their top priorities, they were looking for a solution that would enable them to support their effort in a credible fashion, for which they have chosen UL.

UL’s programs stand for expertise, a trusted partner, technical knowledge and a suite of services that could help meet their needs. 

The solution

“Certification through the GREENGUARD program was a great way to demonstrate our commitment to human health and wellness, said Keith Martin, vice president of Precision Textiles. 

“Low VOC emissions is just one more area where IQFit Natural mattress sock demonstrates the importance we place on engineering products that support human health,” Martin continued. 

GREENGUARD Gold Certified products have a limit on emissions of more than 360 VOCs and total chemical emissions, and have been independently tested and certified to demonstrate that they meet GREENGUARD certification standards, which are based on established emission criteria used by the state of California, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other reputable public health agencies. 

Thanks to a streamlined process and collaborative team from UL and Precision Textiles, they collected the required information, submitted samples and completed testing in a matter of weeks. The team was able to meet their aggressive timeline and complete the certification process over the course of six weeks to launch the new IQFit Natural mattress sock product with the GREENGUARD Gold Mark. 

“We congratulate Precision Textiles on IQFit Natural mattress sock becoming UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified. The GREENGUARD Gold Mark on IQFit Natural mattress sock sends a clear signal that these products support healthier indoor environments,” said Mike O’Hara, general manager and director of global furniture from UL.

The results

Precision Textiles is proud to have earned the UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification for their IQFit Natural mattress sock. A respected mark for low-emitting products, the GREENGUARD Gold Certification Mark indicates that representative samples of the product have undergone rigorous scientific testing to meet some of the world's most stringent chemical emissions requirements. This certification helps provide Precision Textiles with a distinct competitive advantage in a marketplace in which consumers are increasingly concerned about the potential health effects of products. 

“UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification is just one more milestone on our journey to greater health and wellness for our customers and consumers. We look forward to innovating other novel solutions that meet new performance challenges,” Martin said.